|
Type |
Activity* |
Social |
Lifespan |
Qualities |
|
Gerbil |
Diurnal |
Active, social. Get in pairs at the
same time. |
2-3 Years |
Active, social,long tail, tameable,
fun to watch. Females less smell,
desert animals, so less waste. |
|
Hamster |
Nocturnal |
Can be kept single. Can be grumpy if
woken during day. Goldens are good
single, dwarf hamsters like pairs. |
2-3 Years |
Tameable if young. Dwarf hamsters
more sociable. May bite. Females
less smell. |
|
Rat |
Somewhat
Nocturnal |
Keep a same sex pair. |
2-4 Years |
Smart, larger than other rodents,
very tame with regular handling,
rarely bite, need outside cage time
and social interaction regularly,
able to do simple tricks, need
larger cage than other rodents.
Females less smell. |
|
Mouse |
Somewhat
Nocturnal |
Active, social. Get pairs or groups
at same time. Males tend to fight
together. |
1-3 Years |
Can become tame with regular
handling. Fast, so harder to hold.
Playful and fun to watch. Females
less smell. |
|
Guinea Pig |
Diurnal |
Social, keep in pairs of same sex. |
5-7 Years |
Adult size 10 inches, 2-3 lbs. Sweet
and gentle, rarely bite, require
large cages, regular handling, more
demanding diet (fresh hay, veggies,
vitamin C), rewarding pet with
longer lifespan. |
